CJP takes notice of harassment of transgenders in Mardan

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday took notice of a complaint that transgenders were being pressurised by police to leave Mardan.

An application was submitted in the apex court by the non-government organisation ‘Vision Pakistan’ on behalf of transgenders alleging that Mardan police was raiding houses of transgenders and harassing them to leave Mardan district.

The police are also allegedly pressing the landlords who have rented their premises to transgenders to get them vacated, and have got their houses locked with their personal belongings forcing them to find some other place to reside outside Mardan.

The police was reportedly acting under the pressure of elements that are not prepared to treat transgender as human beings and were pressurising to force them out from Mardan.

Chief Justice of Pakistan directed District and Sessions Judge Mardan to take up the matter and to apprise about the position within same day. Superintendent Police Operation Mardan was also summoned to appear before the court.

Complainant transgender Alisha and Sidra appeared before District Judge in person along with representative of the NGO.

The police stated that the transgenders will not be harassed or pressurised in any manner and full protection will be provided to them.

The police also said that any notice given their landlords will be withdrawn and they will be asked not to evict them without due course of law.

The matter was disposed after the assurances given by the local police and on satisfaction of complainant transgender, but the court clarified the matter can be matter can be brought back in case of any future violation